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Burnaby business sees sales crash 90% amid COVID so it pivots to making millions of masks

What do you do when your business is crushed by COVID-19. Adapt or die. That’s what South Burnaby company Lonsdale Event Rentals did when it saw 90% of its business crater due to COVID-19 restrictions.
face mask masks child
Straz Gear Inc. in Burnaby specializes in masks for kids. Straz Gear Inc. photo

What do you do when your business is crushed by COVID-19.

Adapt or die.

That’s what South Burnaby company Lonsdale Event Rentals did when it saw 90% of its business crater due to COVID-19 restrictions.

It’s hard to service social gatherings when there are no longer social gatherings. Things changed a bit as B.C. moved to Phase 3, but on Saturday provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry clamped down on those social gatherings again.

But company owner Chris Fellbaum didn’t wait that long before making the big pivot to Straz Gear Inc. bills itself as the only company specializing in pediatric masks and with a focus on locally sourced raw materials. The company expects to produce 10,000,000 masks per month.

"It was serendipitous that in the same week we heard news of another shut down for our industry, our team began full manufacturing of our pediatric medical masks,” said Fellbaum, in a news release.

The company produces hygienic masks specialized for kids. The product is specifically focused towards children and offers better comfort, breathability, durability, and filtration, said Fellbaum, adding that some of the advantages of the masks include 40% wider ear bands that are made of flexible spandex and nylon, smaller body length for a comfortable and formed fit, inners made of hydrophilic softer non-woven fabric, and so on. No toxic glues or adhesives are used in the mask which makes them safer and healthier.

For more information, visit: https://strazgear.com/